At Last.... Statue of Kauto Star Is Commissioned...

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 10:45 am

I think they possibly rushed Into this decision when Kauto thrashed his biggest rival 'Long Run' since Denman three weeks ago to land a 4th Betfair Chase.... One of the most gruelling In the racing grade 1 calender. Personally, I would have liked them to wait until he had run the King George and talk of a statue at kempton Park Instead of Haydock Park but then, that would be a little awkward I suppose. As one enters Kempton Park, one can not fail to see the statue of 'Desert Orchid' who won the King George 4 times.

Instead, a statue of Kauto Star will grace the track of Haydock Park.

Sculptor Willie Newton has been chosen to make a bronze of Clive Smith's superstar.

Kauto Star | More Stars of the Jumps (last updated pre-Cheltenham 2011) | Horse Profiles | Welcome to Love The Races!

Kauto Star - YouTube

However, It's not over yet.... Paul Nicholls decision to target a third Gold Cup before he retires means possibly more glory at Cheltenham.....

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:40 am

Let us all hope that it is not one race too far ! Kauto Star should be retired now IMO. This 'one more race because Kauto is sooo fit' is getting a bit silly really- he is nearly 12 years old ffs. Allow him to enjoy a well deserved retirement and stop all this greed. How would the owner and trainer feel if Kauto threw a heart attack in the middle of the race. There would be an outcry from all quarters. I did notice that Kauto was easing off towards the end but Long Run was not, and I believe Long Run could overhaul Kauto in a race which is a little longer, and I believe the Cheltenham race they are ear-marking is longer than the one Kauto has just won.

Let Kauto Star retire as a winner and record breaker ......NOW !

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:58 am

G#Gill;1379981 wrote: Let us all hope that it is not one race too far ! Kauto Star should be retired now IMO. This 'one more race because Kauto is sooo fit' is getting a bit silly really- he is nearly 12 years old ffs. Allow him to enjoy a well deserved retirement and stop all this greed. How would the owner and trainer feel if Kauto threw a heart attack in the middle of the race. There would be an outcry from all quarters. I did notice that Kauto was easing off towards the end but Long Run was not, and I believe Long Run could overhaul Kauto in a race which is a little longer, and I believe the Cheltenham race they are ear-marking is longer than the one Kauto has just won.

Let Kauto Star retire as a winner and record breaker ......NOW !

The Betfair Is 3 miles. The Gold Cup Is 3 miles and 2 and a half furlongs. Not a huge amount In terms of distance but It Is the nature of the course that plays the most Important part In these races.

the Betfair at Haydock Is more gruelling than the Gold Cup due to the sharp angles and a short run In.

Cheltenham Is flat but has a long run In up a steep hill and It's often the case that the run In Is where the winner Is decided.

Then we enter the minefield of jumping skills... In the Betfair, Long Run jumped appallingly, clouting most of the fences and In the King George, he Improved slightly but banked most fences which cost him the race especially at the last fence. The track at Kempton Is flatter In the King George and given that and the dame distance, Long Run should have done a lot better..... he didn't.

Another Important factor is that kauts favours a left hand track and The King George this year was run right handed, against his favour making It more difficult for him and that which makes his win all the more remarkable.

Kauto Star's jumping Is completely different to that of Long Run's. Long Run jumps far too tight where as the giant trademark leaps of Kauts take another 2 lengths out of the field every time.

Then there Is every possibility Long Run could fall or be brought down.

The way I see It., Is Ruby seems to have favoured Kauts making the running In the last two races where prior he kept him at cruising speed preserving his energy for the last 7 fences.

With the competition In the Gold Cup, maybe he needs to get Kauts out In front, keep him at crusing speed and let the reins go for the steep hill on the run In.

If Long Run's jumping does not Improve, there will be a big problem for him. If he does win It, then It will be on the run In where the younger legs will carry him up the hill.

This Is all Irrelevant..... The winner of the Gold Cup will be Grand Crus

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 12:23 pm

Then why the hell push Kauto Star into a race which he won't win, and cause him to retire on a loss, or maybe it could be the last straw for him, knowing how brave and determined he is, but I sincerely hope he won't be hurt simply to boost somebody's ego. This happens so often in racing, the horses are pushed and pushed to drain the last ounce. I sometimes wonder that some people forget that a horse is a living, breathing creature.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 12:35 pm

G#Gill;1379986 wrote: Then why the hell push Kauto Star into a race which he won't win, and cause him to retire on a loss, or maybe it could be the last straw for him, knowing how brave and determined he is, but I sincerely hope he won't be hurt simply to boost somebody's ego. This happens so often in racing, the horses are pushed and pushed to drain the last ounce. I sometimes wonder that some people forget that a horse is a living, breathing creature. You seem to have a very negative view of the racing Industry Gill.

When It was announced that Kauto was going to run the Betfair Chase, I did think It was madness. However that opinion was based on the Infection kauts had In january this year when the King George was delayed due to frozen ground. Following that, a few months later, he was pulled up at Punchestown for the 1st time In his career. He had also fallen In the 2010 Gold Cup. I did believe that the time was due for retirement.

However, we don't know what goes on beyond closed doors although Nicholls posts regular video's of schooling prior to a big race on You Tube. My mind was changed after seeing the footage just prior to the Betfair of pre race gallops and Kauto keeping up with Master Minded.

There Is no denying that there Is some abuse In the racing Industry but not at Grade 1 level.... Horses of even Grade 3 calibre live the life of luxery and there Is no way paul Nicholls would put his career on the line If he did not feel kauts was fit enough.

Kauto could win the Gold Cup..... He just beaten the champion twice....he has as much chance as the rest.

In fact, look at the care and devotion shown to Master Minded, Denman and Tricky Trickster by Nicholls after career ending Injuries..... They will live their days out In luxury with the best vetinary care available. Any other trainer and owners would have had them shot.

I don't believe for a minute Nicholls would risk Kauts health If he wasn't up to It. If Long Runs jumping doesn't Improve, Kauto could have the edge over him.

However, I'm sure Grand Crus who has to be the most exciting new kid on the block I've seen for many a year will out run all of them on the hill.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 2:09 pm

Oh by the way Gill........ Did you know that Kauto not only won The Betfair three weeks ago, he actually broke the Haydock Park track record of all time..... Going by those stats, he can beat anything running In the Gold Cup but It depends on other contributing factors such as going, weather, left or right handed track, Jockey, height of fences etc etc.

Watch the 2nd video I posted on the OP.... right at the end.... as he wins the Betfair.... he was far stronger than Long Run and was pulling distance to the line.... Long Run did better at kempton without the sharp bends of Haydock but at the end of the day, he couldn't catch him. Also, watch as they come over the last fence. Look at the distance between the fence and the front legs with Kauto and again with Long Run. That Is another factor of their racing.... the jumping skill.

peleus · Post by **peleus** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 12:20 pm

This should be in a hall of fame or some record books. Just my opinion on this though.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 12:44 pm

peleus;1440054 wrote: This should be in a hall of fame or some record books. Just my opinion on this though.

Kauto Star was Inducted Into the Cheltenham Hall of fame November last year... you can' miss It.... right by The Kauto Star resturant.